Business With Passion: Johann Smit

Johann Smit is one of five sons and two daughters born to John and Clazien (immigrants from Holland). With a degree in Business Agriculture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he began farming with his parents in 1994. Their 80 acres farm (Hidden Star Orchards) in the Sierra Nevada foothills now grows certified organic apples, cherries, grapes, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and pluots. They also press their own apple and cherry cider and dry their own fruit for sale in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Marin Farmer’s Markets.